James Richard Glynn

James Richard Glynn passed away peacefully at his home in Bellevue, Washington on April 12, 2020 at the age of 96, just before a virtual Easter brunch with his local extended family. He died in his favorite recliner, a pile of books and his trusty Kindle at his side.

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1923, Jim spent much of his childhood in St. Boniface, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1945, he graduated from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Institute of Technology with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. In Winnipeg, he met Helen Marie Edwards, who later became his wife. After their marriage they moved to Hartford, CN, where Jim worked with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. In 1950 they moved to Seattle and Jim started work at Boeing. A letter of recommendation from that time described him pretty well: “Glynn’s application and conscientiousness were good and his attitude as an employee unquestionable. He has more than average drive and initiative… a good appearance and a positive manner, and the ability to work with other people. He can be recommended without qualification.” His nickname at Boeing was Gentleman Jim.

He worked at Boeing for over 35 years in both military and commercial airplane divisions, researching and designing propulsion systems. He worked on the Atlas and Saturn rockets used in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. He worked on the Bomarc and Minuteman defense missiles, the B-52, 727 and 737 aircraft, and he helped design and select the original engines for the Boeing 747. He spent a lot of time on Boeing's test sites and in their wind tunnel, where, according to the tales he told his grandchildren, his hair all blew away.

When he retired, he devoted more time to woodworking and created many pieces of beautiful furniture for friends and family, signed “Hand Crafted by Grandpa Jim”.

Jim’s home life revolved around family, friends, and books. He spent many rainy nights camping with Boy Scouts, and he is famous for his part in rescuing a troop stranded at Kennedy Hot Springs by a rogue snowstorm. He spent many an hour sitting in a frigid ice rink watching his children’s hockey games and amateur skating performances, driving untold miles to soccer games and to rescue family members with car problems. He read bedtime stories to his children and grandchildren when they were small. Every Christmas Eve, he regaled them with a reading of “A Christmas Carol.” There was little he enjoyed more than getting lost in a good book, making sawdust in his basement shop, and sitting at the dinner table with family and friends sharing Manhattans, good food, stories, and laughter.

He is greatly missed.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Helen, and two brothers, Earl and Robert. He is survived by his brother Tom, sisters Rosemary and Betty Ann, sons Jim and Dennis, daughter Maura, and six grandchildren. His first great-grandchild is due in August.

Jim was a regular supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Hopelink, and Catholic Community Services. In lieu of flowers, and to help others in these difficult times, please consider donating to the James R. Glynn Sr. Memorial Fund supporting St. Jude or one of the other worthy charitable organizations by clicking on the Donations links below.